So, I'm a college student here and Average temperature is around 64°F, so the weather is moderate. Poverty rate is 9.1%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $1,812/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 3.9%, which is pretty low. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What would you do? Thanks in advance! Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
15 upvotes
38 Replies
Evan Ruiz
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
40 upvotes
Kimberly L.
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
40 upvotes
Emma Peterson
following this thread
40 upvotes
Jayden Miller
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Lakewood area are improving. Kids love it here.
35 upvotes
Hannah Anderson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely tough and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (North) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
35 upvotes
Bruce H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 12 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
34 upvotes
Jordan Wood
been saying this for years
32 upvotes
vegas_chloe
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Southern places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
32 upvotes
Chloe W.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely excellent and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (The Heights) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
27 upvotes
Nathan Carter
Saving this thread
27 upvotes
Allison Hill
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 6 years. Moved from Boston for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are solid. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited high-paying job options. Limited entertainment options. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
nyc_eli
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor recreation is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
26 upvotes
Alexa Reed
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The community vibe is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
sarah_heart
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 15 years. Moved from Portland for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Greenfield schools are surprisingly good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Road conditions need improvement. Dating scene is rough. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Sophia L.
yeah no that's not right
22 upvotes
Lydia Rogers
Can confirm, been here 4 years.
22 upvotes
Dominic Edwards
Came here for cost of living and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The cultural scene is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
21 upvotes
Cora Garcia
preach
20 upvotes
Riley C.
Saving this thread
17 upvotes
Victoria Ward
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Greenfield. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
17 upvotes
Leonardo Foster
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Raleigh it's surprisingly good.
17 upvotes
Ariana Torres
as a local I can confirm
17 upvotes
Jayden
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Raleigh it's improving.
16 upvotes
Noah Price
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
16 upvotes
Logan M.
this is the way
16 upvotes
Aubrey N.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cultural scene. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
15 upvotes
Vivian Brown
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 33, moved here 5 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Downtown and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cultural scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Seattle, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
15 upvotes
Anna Walker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 6 years ago. The main reasons were work and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
14 upvotes
Wesley Edwards
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely improving and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
14 upvotes
Brittany C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 6 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
14 upvotes
Quinn Jimenez
I work in retail here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is tough. Good luck with whatever you decide..
10 upvotes
Sophia M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Dallas about 3 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Feel free to reach out with questions..
10 upvotes
Arianna Clark
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
8 upvotes
Eliana F.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 5 years. Moved from Baltimore for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are challenging. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Winters are long and cold. Chain restaurants dominate. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Emma Young
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 7 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
3 upvotes
joseph_life
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Denver about 5 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Diverse dining options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is excellent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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